Learn to Make Your Own Cake Structures!

This week I am making a bust cake so thought it was a good opportunity to share how I make my own home made cake structures. There are many ways out there but I'll share my methods for making internal supports for gravity defying and bust cakes.
They are solid, sturdy and cheap and work for a huge variety of cakes.
1. We'll talk materials - what to use and where to get them
2. How to put it all together
3. Studying a case example
4. Making structures food safe.
5. Tips for designing your own cake structures
Give the video a THUMBS UP if youve found it helpful and message me with any questions.
Visit us at sugarstreetstudios.com to see more cakes!
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED AT SUGAR STREET
CUTTING MAT: bit.ly/selfhealingmat
SCALPEL : bit.ly/sugarcraftscalpel
GLAZE SPRAY : bit.ly/2shellandshine
FOOD COLOURS: bit.ly/magicgelcolours
MODELLING CHOC: bit.ly/choctastique
SUGAR SHAPERS: bit.ly/sugarshapersoft
SUGAR SHAPERS: bit.ly/sugarshapersfirm

[@paulinewilcox153]

This was extremely helpful. I may have to bounce back with a question of how to make an shoulder and elbow, but you’ve given me food for that for now.

[@HallenaQuinzel]

This is seriously the most thorough introduction to cake structures! It's friendly, inviting, and fantastic. You have a subscriber for life!

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Hallena! I'm so happy you found it useful! Welcome aboard 😊

[@niggled]

This is actually one of the most helpful videos I have found on creating cake structures, really easy to follow. Thanks

[@SugarStreetStudios]

You are so welcome! Glad you found it useful 😀

[@ThaliasCakes]

Wow!!! I cannot Thankyou you enough!!! You were so helpful! This is the only video that actually explain everything that I need to know I sure there’s more to know but this is perfect Thankyou! Thankyou! I will be adding this video link right under my description box so a cake that I will be making very soon, so that my subscribers can come over and watch this video! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thats great! If you have any questions please let me know, and thank you for sharing!!

[@BBLIVELOVEEAT]

I agree

[@janavada6671]

Amazing tutorial! Thank you so much

[@GirlArmy21]

So informative! Just getting into making structural cakes-this was very helpful! Hi from Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thank you!

[@sarahknobel8908]

Such genius! Thank you for posting ! ❤

[@annaabbanat6930]

This way so, so amazing and just incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for your time and expertise!

[@terryoretayo2627]

I must confess that you did a very good job here. You answered lots of questions I have. I came to write this comment after downloading and watching your video severally. May the Lord prosper your ways in Jesus name

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thank you Terry :)

[@galatea5909]

Thank you soooo much for sharing your knowledge! You rock

[@zoeburmester4132]

You are welcome!

[@thesaltyside1475]

This is such a massively helpful video! Thank you so much.

[@zoeburmester4132]

you are welcome!

[@danandalihilton6076]

This tutorial was amazing!! Exactly what I was looking for

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Glad you liked it! We have many more inside our Academy sugarstreetstudios.com :)

[@katefick4246]

Thank you this is a great video!

[@Lawakanuno]

Dear Zoe I’m totally agree with all comments below, very well explained and I’ve been searching for 5 months how to build this for a cake at least I can practice for my bust cake 🥰🥰 hug from Indonesia

[@horizontbeskrajneinovacije6440]

Great video...very nice explained, with pace and understanding.

[@christiejackson7191]

This video is so incredibly helpful! Thank you for taking the time to share :)

[@SugarStreetStudios]

You are so welcome Christie, glad you found it helpful!

[@tanishqborah8132]

Hello … u showed everything about the structure cakes so clearly… Thank you…

[@margaretcoffie155]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, too much information, I'm very grateful 🙏

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thank you!

[@farheenshameer6695]

Thanks alot for this amazing video..really very helpful 🤗

[@flavin-j]

Thank you for your amazing tutorial! I am taking the plunge.. I have ordered all of my pieces.. wish me luck! :D

[@SugarStreetStudios]

It gets easier with practice! Good luck!!

[@marydemerlo]

Me encanto!

[@rashivaswani7474]

Excellent explanation....clear

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@BrittanysAdarcangel]

I want to thank you for such a great video

[@SugarStreetStudios]

you are welcome! Glad you found it useful

[@vonitacruz9044]

i just discovered your channel and I learned SO MUCH! thank you

[@SugarStreetStudios]

You are so welcome!

[@chillvibessweetbaked7458]

this is what I'm looking for. thank you for sharing your talent maam. 🥰🥰🥰

[@spongestospatulapallavinar6217]

Thanku for explaining so beautifully every minute detail

[@SugarStreetStudios]

You are welcome!

[@parambauva2752]

Really helpful....

[@Cakesandmuffinshouse]

Very helpful

[@rashmiscookingstories6370]

Thanks for sharing..very informtive

[@SugarStreetStudios]

you are welcome!

[@lynetterogers6752]

Thank u 💓

[@tracygarratt8359]

Thankyou for this i want to give it a go you made it look easy but im not sure im capable but will give it a try x

[@SugarStreetStudios]

I had no clue when I started either, but you will be fine! Take it slowly - give yourself lots of planning time and an open mind. You'll definitely get better with practice too :)

[@chantellventer516]

Such a useful clip, learned so much, thx for sharing, so dying to try it out on your baby Rudolf :-)

[@zoeburmester4132]

You are so welcome. Let me know how you get on if you do try!

[@victoriabarton7833]

I’m a bit late to the party but wow! Such a super video and clear explanation. I’ve always created wooden structures, fearing the unknown of using metal. Out of interest what food safe tape would you recommend? Thanks so much for sharing your incredible knowledge. Viki

[@vivahat9282]

This is amazing. The way you broke it down to explain how to create these structures was very informative. Couple of questions - 1: once you cut the rod what do you use to file the rough edges?, 2: I am trying to make a flower cake with a gravity defying butterfly cake seemingly sitting in mid-air at the edge of the flower cake. The buttterfly will be in a v shape cake. How do I get the rod to work with the upper level as a v shape?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Viva these days I cut my rod using an angle grinder and gently file the end of the rod on the spinning blade

[@oliviabel1]

Loved your video. Would like be to see you actually assemble the cake too!x

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Well that's definitely the plan! :) I hope to film the cake in the making this week and will make it into a video tutorial once its been handed over to the client. Glad you liked it :)

[@barbararodriguez1939]

This is a very helpful video. Gave me a really good understanding of how to create a structure. Do you also have a video explaining how to determine the size of a template? in other words, how big or small do I create my template so that it matches the size of my structure? I hope that makes sense.

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Barbara, The template will simply be the size that you want your finished cake to be. This is always my starting point for any carved/structured cake. This will help you visualise not only how much cake you will need to bake but how big the structure needs to be too. Hope that makes sense?

[@ellymason8454]

Wow I Loved your video thank you what tool would you use to shadow under the cake board where the nut will be to stop the wobble please

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Elly I attach feet to the board to allow clearance for the nut :)

[@melodymeadows1095]

Thank you this is very good. Also may I add: use LOCKING washers and they will hold your nut in place. If you use just the regular washers then your nut can and will come loose. Use locking washers always. Thanks again for this video XOXOXO

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Thanks Melody! And yes you are right, locking washers and also locking nuts can be used as well! Thanks for mentioning :)

[@Silvana1st]

Just about to take the plunge with a cake structure and your video is absolutely what I needed to watch. Just a query, you had a pic of another structure where the legs were bended, how to you achieve that? Is that threaded metal again or something different?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Yes - I bend threaded rod with a vice grip!

[@bebspapageorgiou461]

Agree with all the comments below on how helpful i have found this...very well explained. Thanking you so much. I want to make a stand structure for a stand up ballerina and wondered if you have any tips on this. One leg is on tip toe and the other bent...how to do get a bent leg incorporated with the straight leg. TIA. Bebs

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Make sure that the standing leg is as secure and weight bearing as possible. I would go for a 12mm rod and very large washers. You can then attach the bent leg (also from rod but a much thinner weight.. say a 6 mm or 8mm) to the base board that the cake will sit on. If it is a thin rod you can just about bend it by hand. I made a flamingo cake (check out the tutorial on the channel) with exactly the same principle of one supporting rod for the cake, and one bent. Hope that helps!

[@rimaazarie1769]

Thank you! This demonstration is very helpful. I wonder what makes of a foil tape safe for direct food contact is only the fact of being heat resistant. Can you please explain what makes the foil tape to be food safe? I am new doing this and will by foil tape for the very first time. Thank you!

[@rimaazarie1769]

@@zoeburmester4132 thank you. I think I should be able to know those characteristics from the label/ tag of the foil tape. Your work is amazing! 👏🏻

[@tomproffitt6462]

Thank you for the video! What do you use to cover the Mdf boards? Thank you :)

[@zoeburmester4132]

Hi Thomas, If I know that children wont be eating the cake (!), then I scrub the board with alcohol and then cover it directly in sugarpaste. If however I think the paste on the board may be eaten I will cover the MDF will foil tape before I then apply the paste. Hope that helps!

[@lindseycummins6336]

Hi 👋🏻 thank you so much for the really helpful tutorial! I’m hoping to make a gruffalo for my sons birthday (I’m so nervous!)and I know this is going to need an internal structure if I want him to be standing. I was just wondering what you do in regards to a structure for arms? Apologies if you’ve covered this in another video. X

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Lindsey it depends on how the arms are to be positioned and their size. If they are resting against the body you can get away with no structure. Otherwise you will have to add in some sturdy rod support that is attached to a board higher up the structure. We have many more tutorials on this inside the Cake Academy www.sugarstreetstudios.com if you're interested :). Good luck with the cake!

[@harry18031]

Good video Thanks. What size straws do you use and where do you source them?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Harry, the straws depend on which size rod you are using. I find that regular straws are fine for M6 and M8 rods but for larger rods I use bubble straws. These can be sourced online and in pound shops but my only comment is that you may need to bulk order online as most stores now are phasing out plastic, understandably for eco reasons. For cake purposes though paper straws are not suitable as they absorb the moisture of the cake and can break down. If you struggle to find the right size plastic straws you can always wrap the rods with foil tape. Hope that helps! Zoe

[@deborahdunning1917]

Amazing video thank you, do you class the MDF food safe.

[@zoeburmester4132]

No you need to cover the MDF so it is not in direct contact with cake or other food stuffs. It is not food safe. I either cover it in cake card, foil tape or for large pieces of MDF I also use foil covering paper (the stuff that covers regular cake drums) which you can buy in flat sheets from catering suppliers. The only exception to this is on the base board which i scrub clean and then apply paste directly onto it, and advise the customer not to pick the paste off the board. If the cake is for children though I will cover the MDF with foil tape or paper first as in my experience kids pick at everything! Hope that helps!

[@deborahdunning1917]

Thank you xx

[@courtneyroberts4827]

This helped me so much! But what exactly is an mda board?

[@zoeburmester4132]

Hi Courtney - MDF - this is a wood composite material that you can buy in sheets at different thicknesses from a hardware store :)

[@lisataylor1312]

Wow this is so helpful!! So often I have ideas for a cake, but don't know how to go about it. I'm pretty novice, but maybe I should have a go at some of my ideas! When you have your template drawn out,, how do you know your exact measurements when you're actually building it? I find my cakes rise differently depending on the type of cake, and how much filling I add, I just never know 'exactly' how long my rods need to be. Especially when it comes to necks. You need those spot on or YIKES! Haha! Thanks again for this great tutorial!

[@SugarStreetStudios]

But if you have a template you can juggle to make the cakes fit. For a carved cake I increase the height of each cake layer and work on about 2 inches plus an inch on filling. With my template then I can work out how many cakes to bake. For structured cakes that are going to be carved I recommend a denser recipe with a lot of eggs as you want a sturdier cake to help you out! Good luck with it 😊

[@lisataylor1312]

@@SugarStreetStudios Thank you!! I really appreciate your reply!

[@stephaniemoreno4145]

The tape you use…? What is the brand? I’m looking for some but I onk6 see the kind for metal repair and duct work in hvac installs. Most states it’s coated in An epoxy resin. Thanks!

[@TrinettaBryan]

Thank for this informative video! What is the thickness of your mdf circles?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Trinetta it depends on the size of cake I make. usually 4 - 6mm MDF does it but if Im making a very big cake I will upgrade it to 9mm :)

[@richakhandelwal030]

What is the size of bottom mdf board and it's thickness?

[@jalpagoswami8009]

Thank you so much for such an information video! Could you please share that in this video at 8:50, you have shown one structure image. What are the legs made of? I mean which kind of rods are there which are bent Please.

[@zoeburmester4132]

Hi Jalpa.. i used 6mm threaded rods which I bent by hand in a vice. I then slipped plastic straws over the top to make them food safe. Hope this helps!

[@jalpagoswami8009]

Zoe Burmester Thank you so much...

[@dsilver7851]

Thank you so much for this video. How do you make support for a curved structure for instance a flamingo neck... Do you bend the metal rod? If so how?

[@kimberleyhughes9178]

I'm reading through the comments in the hope to find an answer to this! Did you work it out?

[@dsilver7851]

@@kimberleyhughes9178 yes I watched another video, they use sculpture wire. It's a thick bendable wire

[@garyscott5601]

Hi. What are you covering the main board with and when do you do it? Thanks 😎

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Gary, I tend to always cover my cleaned board in sugar paste. Depending on the design I will cover it before I layer up the cake or apply it afterwards. I always decorate my cake boards as part of the design of the cake so use sugarpaste :)

[@garyscott5601]

@@SugarStreetStudios thanks. I've been trying to use PVC pipes but don't seem to be able to get the cross section (four-way) adaptor anywhere. Have you come across these? Seem to be a USA thing only

[@SugarStreetStudios]

@@garyscott5601 they are not easy to find in the UK! Your best bet is to search online...I think I may have ordered from these guys before www.plasticpipeshop.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9aiIBhA1EiwAJ_GTSoZu-DlRDO9l7qfNQUPq9sU61bsmN0DMj3PuXT-D1E5nR_WZWKvhZhoC9wMQAvD_BwE

[@aayoteemukhopadhyay5539]

Please show how do you bend threaded rods? Specially 8 mm/10 mm thick ones... Any special tools?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Aayotee Mukhopadhyay I bend 6mm and 8mm rods by hand! As long as the rods are gripped tightly in a vice - good old fashioned muscle should bend them. I do not bend 10mm rods though at home as these are too thick. If I am making a large structure for a very big cake that requires bends I either a) get the structure made by my local metal workshop or b) use threaded pipe at a thicker diameter (1/2inch) which you can also buy elbows and T joins for. Innovative Sugarworks and Cake Frame also sell pre made structure kits that have pipe parts with elbows and joiners. Hope this helps!

[@aayoteemukhopadhyay5539]

Sugar Street Studios thank you 😊

[@janesamy6752]

Hi, i live in a beautifull island called Mauritius. But unfortunately we do not have any store to buy cake structure. So i have to build our own.. But daughter asked me for a burst unicorn cake . Can you explain to me how to build one please thanks..

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi Jane..nice to hear from you! The best way is to draw out or find an image of what you want to make and then work out the structure ON PAPER before you start. Understand where the cake part will go and which parts of the design need support and from here you can design the best structure for the cake. This will help you enormously. And leave yourself lots of time to practice!

[@oliviabel1]

Zoe where can you get that foil tape please?

[@SugarStreetStudios]

Hi! I ordered mine online from Amazon 😀 Just search for foil or aluminium adhesive tape.

[@melodymeadows1095]

You can also get it from any hardware store, if you have a Lowes or Home depot near you XOXO

[@kristinacordova9317]

I can't hear what type of wood she used as the base?

[@zoeburmester4132]

Hi Kristina I use MDF which is an engineered fibre wood. It is cheaper than the PLY wood in the UK and readily available in hardware stores. Hope that helps!

[@jasminaperinpanayagam8243]

Hi what size MDF - thickness is reccomended? planning to make somehting like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXnZfXawetibaZo for the first time. And any suggestions about size of board - need to feed 40+ kids and as a novice to structed cakes striggling to find answers. Your video has been amazing though and given me the confidence to attempt this. Thanks

[@zoeburmester4132]

Hi Jasmina I recommend that you draw out your design on card, so you can see how big it will be and this will indicate how big the board should be. Sounds like a fairly big cake so I would definitely look at 6 - 9mm MDF and M10/12 rods. Good luck!

[@jasminaperinpanayagam8243]

@@zoeburmester4132 Thanks!